*** PIER OF THE YEAR 2011 ***

WESTON'S DOUBLE WHAMMY!

by Anthony Wills

Hard on the heels of the Outstanding Achievement Award presented last November, the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare has been chosen as the National Piers Society’s Pier Of The Year 2011. It comfortably beat off Eastbourne, Southend and Swanage, all of whom tied for second place. A further 19 piers received at least one vote in the Society’s annual poll of its 650 members.

The award crowns a momentous year for the Grade II listed Grand Pier, which reopened last October with a brand new £50 million pavilion replacing the building that burned down two years previously. In addition the Grand becomes the first ever pier to win the National Piers Society’s award twice, having been chosen by members for this honour back in 2001.

The Grand Pier opened in June 1904 – nearly 40 years after neighbouring Birnbeck - to a length of 1080 ft. (instead of the 6,600 ft first envisaged). Construction cost £120,000, a considerable sum in those days, and included a 2,000 seat pier head pavilion, staging performances of opera, ballet and Shakespeare plays, as well as music hall and boxing. An extension doubling the pier’s length was added in 1906 to receive boats but this was unsuccessful due to dangerous tidal conditions, and was demolished ten years later. In 1930 the pavilion was destroyed by fire and its replacement, which opened in 1932, was given over to amusements rather than performances. For over sixty years from 1946 the pier was owned by the Brenner family, who carried out many improvements. They sold it to Kerry and Michelle Michael in February 2008 but just five months later a devastating fire took place, necessitating complete closure for just over two years. The replacement pavilion is altogether on a grander scale and incorporates many breathtaking rides as well as facilities for conferences and presentations. Party On The Pier, a nationwide celebration around Britain’s coastline, was launched there on 12 March with Tourism Minister and local MP John Penrose and National Piers Society patron, actor Timothy West.

Commenting on the news NPS President Gavin Henderson said: “The phoenix riding proud above the Weston waves is an inspiration for many other piers; Grand indeed, and richly deserving of this award.”

Kerry Michael, owner of the Grand pier, said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award on behalf of everyone who worked so hard helping us to rebuild this magnificent structure, which we hope will be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come.”

Press enquiries: Liz Lewis (Weston Grand pier) 01934 646152 or Anthony Wills, (National Piers Society) 020 7586 5154